Punish Asif if he founds guilty, says former players

Published: Tuesday, July 15, 2008, 20:05 [IST]

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Lahore, Jul 15 (UNI) Blaming the PCB for tarnishing the image of Pakistan cricket across the globe, former national players have demanded a heavy punishment for medium pacer Mohammad Asif, who failed a dope test conducted by WADA during the IPL tournament.

''It is time the board stopped supporting players who are constantly bringing a bad name to the country. Only time will tell if he is innocent or not but there is no doubt that Asif has been responsible for spoiling the image of Pakistan cricket not once but a number of times,'' former captain Javed Miandad said.

''The players are responsible for their behaviour but at the same time the board has encouraged them to indulge in indiscipline by constantly ignoring their past acts and refusing to get tough with them,'' he added.

Miandad also stated that it is extremely shameful that Pakistan players were getting involved in dope scandals.

''In 2006 the board was soft on Shoaib Akhtar and Asif. Last month their reaction to Asif's detention in Dubai was shocking. So now if they are faced with another dope scandal they are equally to blame and should be sacked.'' Another former Pakistan captain Zaheer Abbas said asserted that this is the second time when the pacer was involved in the doping controversy and it is very shamefull for the whole nation.

''I just can not understand why Pakistan cricketers are using drugs. I think PCB management is unable to restrict its player on such issues that is why they're enjoying all liberties,'' he lamanted.

He also called for strict action against Asif if he found guilty.

''But first we must also confirm what substance he used in the IPL and whether it was for some therapy treatment,'' he said.

''His behaviour shows irresponsibility because if you're a player and representing your country's national team then you're the ambassador of the country, so you should not do things which give bad name to the country,'' he said.